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Status of Research in the History of Astronomy in the Arab World

Professor Hamid M. K. Al-Naimy [Proceedings of the conference 1001 Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our World organised by FSTC, London, 25-26 May 2010]. The aim of this paper is to introduce the status of research and studies on the history of astronomy in some Arab countries, in regard to research, studies, translations and manuscript editing, including the research activities in Sharjah (UAE). The focus is laid on a proposal for establishing an International Foundation for the History of Islamic Sciences, as an independent international, non profit and legal foundation whose headquarters are suggested to be hosted at the University City of Sharjah.

Figure 1. The Tabula Rogeriana, drawn by al-Idrisi for Roger II of Sicily in 1154, one of the most advanced ancient world maps. Modern consolidation, created from the 70 double-page spreads of the original atlas. (Source)